Bundaberg VMR base
Bundy Rescue
Bundy Rescue
Bundaberg Rum hand over
Bundaberg Rum to the rescue
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VMR Bundaberg
Central Zone
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
Bundaberg's AGM was held on 8 September 2009 and the following members were elected:
Garry Dick -President & Rep Central Zone
Maurice English -Vice President
John Routledge -Treasurer
Graeme Morley -Secretary & Vice President Central Zone
Eric Beckman
Peter Debus
Erwin Hoffmann
Bill Ker -Rep Central Zone
John O'Callaghan
Bruce Smith
Bill Wagstaff
OUR SQUAD:
Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg Inc (VMR488) is situated in the Burnett Heads Boat Harbour at the mouth of the Burnett River just outside of Bundaberg City at 24°45.644 South Latitude and 152°24.090 East Longitude.
Our unit was first formed in 1972 in response to a perceived need to provide rescue services for vessels in distress in local waters. From a very modest beginning, VMR Bundaberg has grown into a strong organisation with 317 members of which 65 are hard working dedicated volunteers.
OUR AREA:
VMR Bundaberg is responsible for maintaining surveillance of an area off the Central Qld coast from Fairfax Island in the north, to Burrum River in the south and to the Oceanside of Fraser Island to the east, representing some 4,000 square nautical miles of ocean. The Qld Dept of Transport has approx 6,300 recreational vessels registered in this region as well as commercial vessels and numerous vessels passing through these waters enroute to other destinations. Bundaberg is also now the largest small craft entry port into Australia for arriving vessels seeking Quarantine and Customs clearance.
OUR RADIOS:
We maintain a limited coast radio station at our base in Burnett Heads and our volunteer radio operators monitor marine radio traffic from 07.00 to 18.00 daily, 365 days a year. Our volunteer boat crews and skippers are rostered on standby 24 hours every day. Our radio room is equipped with 10 radios monitoring all distress and EPIRB frequencies. Repeater stations are maintained at Mount Watalgan, Sandy Cape and the Hummock. We also maintain an emergency VHF radio on Lady Musgrave Island. Current weather updates issued by Bureau of Meteorology are broadcast to the public and commercial vessel operators at scheduled times. Weather warnings are issued on receipt.
OUR BOATS:
Our rescue vessel ‘Bundy Rescue’ is a 10-metre alloy catamaran powered by two 225hp Yamaha four stroke outboard motors. The latest navigation equipment is fitted and carries up-to-date emergency rescue equipment and life saving devices. ‘Bundy Rescue’ is in current marine survey and is used for offshore rescues and those involving larger vessels. We also operate ‘Bundaberg Rum’, a 5 metre Sea Jay centre console powered by an 80hp Yamaha four stroke outboard. This vessel is used for inshore rescues with smaller vessels. Quick response to emergency situations enables us to prevent potential disaster from vessels running aground or on reefs, discharging fuel into the ocean and/or destroying reefs and fish habitats. Our equipment on the rescue vessels includes towing and recovery gear.
OUR CREW:
Our rescue crews are trained Marine Authority Certificates of Competency and our base and vessels meet workplace, health and safety standards. Active members receive ongoing training to ensure their skills are of high quality and can be relied upon in difficult emergency situations. Training courses are conducted on a regular basis. Courses include radio, navigation, weather, first aid, fire fighting, survival, distress signals, marine terminology, seamanship, search & rescue etc. We also train with and assist with the re-accreditation of the AGL Rescue Helicopter crew. Radio licence courses are also regularly held for members of the public.
Sea safety is what we are all about and our rescue service has saved many lives. We encourage the boating public to take all necessary precautions to prevent disasters at sea.
MEMBERSHIP:
Should you like to join our Squadron, please download, print and complete the membership application form contained in the 'Related Documents' section in the column on the right hand side of this web page. Postal address is printed on the form.
Office/Postal Address
Harbour Esplanade, Burnett Heads
PO Box 566, Bundaberg
QLD 4670
Phone/Fax
PH - (07) 4159 4349
FAX - (07) 4159 4389
Email
bundaberg@vmraq.org.au
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Garry Dick, President,,
Maurice English, Vice President,,,
Bill Ker, Unit Training Coordinator,
Graeme Morley, Secretary,,
John Routledge, Treasurer,
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